Fluid meter



FLUID METER Filed March 9, 19:58 2 sheets-sheet 1.

Oct. l5, 1940. c. s. BURDSAL 2,217,663

FLUID METER Filed M arch 9, 1938 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED-)STATES *PATlzlSJTV oFFicE 42,217,663 FLUID METER Charles,Southardj Burdsal, Cave Creek, Ariz. Application Maren 9, 193s, serial No. 194,956

` f zolaims. .(01. 73 "31) This invention relates to a meter structure designed primarily for use in connection with a fire fighting equipment including a pumping apparatus supplying liquid by a flexible hose line of 'variable length to a nozzle, but it is'to be understood that' a' meterstructure, in accordance with this invention is'jfor use in any connection forwhic'h it maybe found applicable, and the invention has for its 'object to provide,l in a. manner as hereinafter set'forth', a meter structure for measuring nozzle pressure at the re truck.

c A furthe-r object ofthe invention is'to provide, in a manner as hereinafterset forth; a meter structure.for'automatically Aindicating to an operatorv the flow of afluid to determinev whether or not the'iiow should be regulated. Afurther object of the' invention is toprovide, in ia' 'manner' as hereinafter seti forth, a meter structure'for the purpose referredfto capable of being used on' high pressure fire plugs.

A further objectof the invention is'to provide, in aV manner' as hereinafter setlforth, a, meter .structure Yincluding means whereby 'no loss of the mercury,(indicator) is 'hadshould there be in the meter structure toogreat a differential between the Vpressure from the venturi and the mercury.l further object ofzthe invention is..to provide; in a manner ashereinafter!` setv forth, a. meterstruture for the purpose referred'to with a pairjqf`mercuryjcharnbers, onev normally'containing the mercury andthe' other Vfor receiving mercury vshould nthere be inthe meter too greatajdilferential between the pressure and bhe mercury,.j

'Further objects of the linvention are-to provide, ina manner as hereinafter -set forth, a meterstructurefor the-purpose referred to which is simple inits con-struction,` strong, durable, compact; r ead i ly `installedfwith a water supply, thoroughly eicient when in use,VL and inexpensive to manufacture; "5 4 -v Enriboclying the/foregoing aims and others which may hereinafter" appear, the invention V45 andarra'ngement'of parts as willbe more specifically referred to and illustrated' in the accompanying'. drawingswherein is` lshown an. embodiment of theinvention; but it is to bei understood c consists ofthe novel' construction, combination which is to have the indicia. chart attached thereto,but with the chart omitted, Figure 2'is`an elevation ofl themeter structure looking towards that `side provided with the chart and with the Venturi tube omitted,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3, Figurel,l Figure 4 is a section online 4 4, Figure 1', Figure 5 is a section on line 5 5, Figure 1, I Figure 6 is a sectional plan of a .modified form ofmounting-for the mercury tube,

' Figure 7 is a section on line 1 1, Figure 1,` and Figure 8 is` a fragmentary section on line 8 8, Figure v1. y

"With respect to' either form of the meter structure shown, each includes a manometer or mercurytube, the vlatter may be set up from glass, Celluloid or other transparent plastic material. When the tube is formed of glass, the ends thereof are sealed over and its body is provided with two spaced alignedopen'ings formed therein by drilling. As to the' tube formed of plastic material, the ends thereof are plugged and its body formedwith spaced aligned openings located in the same mannerk as the openings in 'the glass tube. Theopenings in the tube are for establishing communication between the interior of thejtube and a pair 'of `mercury chambers.

-The tube shown in' Figures 1, 3, Lland 5 is indicated atLthe tube 4shown in Figure 6 at 2. The

tubes I and 2 may be ofl glass 'or plastic material.

With reference to Figures 1 to 5 and '7 and 8, the

meter'structure includes an upstanding support -3 formed `of a rectangular front part or body 4 and a laterally disposed circular band-like rear part or body 5 integral with and disposed'in lat-r eral relation to the part '4. The latter is provided on its inner face intermediate its upper and lower ends with a horizontally disposed' concave groove 6. The part 5 is integral with the rear face of part 4-and has its inner face Aform a c on-I tinuation of the arc of theV wall of groove 6. The bandi-like part 5: coacts `with the groove to forma circular opening: forv the passage of a Venturi tube 8. The wall of the opening constitutes a holding means for the tube. The latter is ofsa length to, extend laterally in opposite directions from the sides 9, Ill of the part 4.

There is formed within the part 4, in proximity tol its lower end a transversely kextending chamber Ile-opening atthe side 9 of part 4 and normally closed by a removable threaded plug I2. Theohamber ll constitutes a mercury reservoir. There s formed Within the part 4, in proximity to its upper end a transversely extending charnmercury and thereby prevents loss of mercury. i

The manner in which the chambers communi- Vcate will be presently referred to.

The front face of part 4, centrally thereof is iormed with a vertically disposed groove I5 which yis closed at its upper end, as at I6, and openl at its lower end. The closed end of groove I5 is positioned in proximity to the top I1 of part 4. The open end of groove I5 is at the bottom I8 of part 4. The latter in proximity to its bottom I8 is formed with a rearwardly extending port I9 which opens at one end into and centrally of the bottom of chamber II and at its other end into the grooveY I5. The part 4 in proximity to its top or upper end I1 is formed with a rearwardly extending port 28 which opens at one end into and centrally of the bottom of chamber I3 and at its other end into the groove I5.

Positioned within the groove I5 is the mercury tube I having spaced aligned openings in the body thereof indicated at 2l, 22 which align with the vports I8, 28 respectively. The tube I, as shown is of less length than groove I5, has its lower end flush with the bottom I8 of part 4, and is spaced from the base and side walls of the groove I5 by a means to be referred to. The upper and lower ends of the tube I are shown as being plugged as at 23, but the plugs are so arranged as not to in- .terfere with the flow of mercury in opposite directions in the ports I9, 29. The openings 2|, 22 in connection with the ports I9, 28 and openings in a means to be referred to establish communication between the tube I and the chambers I I, I3.

The Venturi tube 8 is formed of an intermediate portion 24 and a pair of end portions 25, 28. The portion 24 has its outer face, adjacent its ends provided with a pair of spaced circumferentially extending annular grooves 21, 28 which are closed by the wall of the opening through which the tube 8 extends to provide annular spaces having their outer walls imperforate. The space which the rgroove 21 forms is termed a rear annular space and the space which groove 28 forms is termed a front annular space. The end portion 25 is grcoved in its outer face to receive a connector 29 for revolubly attaching to such portion an interiorly threaded coupling collar 38 employed for attaching the tube to a supply of water under pressure. The end portion 26 is peripherally threaded for attaching thereto a coupler, not shown, employed for connecting the tube to a water conducting oi line, not shown. The inner face of the tube includes an inner end portion 32 oi" uniform diameter, anv intermediate portion 33 substantially of compound curvature in lengthwise section and of frusto-tapered contour lengthwise and an outer end portion 34 which gradually increases in diameter throughout from the leading end of portion 33. The portion 33 is termed .a throat and its contour overcomes the so-oalled vena contracta which is ordinarily experienced in Venturi construction. The tube 8 is formed with a rear circular row of spaced ports 35 which lead from the interior of the tube to the groove 21. The tube 8 is formed with a forward circular row of spaced ports 38 which lead from the interior of the tube to the groove 28. The ports 35 are formed in the body of the Venturi tube 8 between the vertical median and forward end of inner face portion 32 of the tube. The ports 38 are formed in the body of the Venturi tube 8 at a point between the vertical medianand forward end of the inner face portion 34 of the tube.

Supported upon the front face of the part 4 is a carrier or chart 18 provided with suitable indicia of the indicating type which is associated with and selectable by a column of mercury rising and lowering in tube I. The carrier or chart 18 is in the form. of an etched brass plated metallic plate painted to form a contrast with the indicia thereon. The mercury column constitutes an indicator. The carrier or chart 18 has a vertically disposed central slot 1I to provide for one viewing the indicator withrespect to the selected indicia. The tube I aligns with the slot 1I of the carrier 18. The chart 18 is anchored to carrier 3 by the holdfast means v13. The chart 18 has indicia indicating nozzle pressure and rate of flow.

, Leading outwardly from the top of chamber I3 is a horizontally disposed port 11 which opens into the upper end of a vertically disposed channel 18 leading from the top of the inner side of groove 28. Extending downwardly from the bottom of the inner side of groove 28 is a channel 19 which opens at its lower end into the top of chamber il. The channelr19 has an upper reduced portionl 88 and an enlarged lower portion 8l. Arranged in the channel 19 is a valve structure to provide for automatic mercury return. The said-valve structure is in the form of a tubular combined guide and valve seat forming element 82, 'suspended within channel 19 intermediate the endsof the latter. The element 82 is formed withva reduced peripherally threaded upper part 83 and an enlarged lower part 84. The

part 83 threadedly engages with the wall of the upper portion`88 of channel 19 and suspends the said part 84 in and spaced from the wall of the lowerportion 8 I, of channel 19. The inner face of the upper `end of part 84 is of a contour to form a valve seat 8 5. The said part 84 in proximity to its upper end is formed with openings 86. Slidably relative tothe element 82 and extending upwardly in the said part 84 of the latter is a oat ,controlled needle valve 81 for coaction with said seat 35 to shut off communication between the portion 88 of channe1'19 and the chamber II.

v'I-he .lower end of valve 81 is xed to a float 88 controlledby the level of the mercury in the chamber II. Carried by the valve 81 are guide discs 89 which ride against the inner face of the part 84 of element 8,2 for centering the valve 81 relative to itsseat 85.

The carrier 3 is formed with a channel SII which leads downwardly from the groove 21 towards and opens into the top of the mercury compartment II.V TheA channel 98` has a reduced upper portion 8| and an enlarged lower portion 92. Secured in the latter is a restriction means in the form of an inverted cup-shaped member 93 having an opening, port or orice- 94 centrally of its top 95. The chamber I I is formed with threaded openingsB', 91 in its bottom which are closed by removable threaded plugs 98, 99 respectively. The chamber or reservoir I I is largecompared to tube I, so that the mercury normally falls only a small amount' tion. The support for `the mercury tube is indicated at |48 and has its front face formed with a" groove I4I having a flat base wall |42. Positioned 2,217,668 against the Wall I 42 is a compressible packing |43 Only one of the openings |44, ports |45, openings |49 and openings |50 are shown. 'I'he chart indicated at |5| is secured to the outer face o-f support |40 by the holdfast means |52 and extends across the tube The chart |5| is transparent.

With reference to Figure 6 another form of mounting is shown for clamping the mercury tube 2 in position. The support for the tube is indicated at |40a and has its front face provided with a groove |4|a having its base wall |425 of segmental cross section. Positioned against the wall |42si is a compressible packing |43a formed with spaced openings |44a for registering with the ports |45a which establish communication between the chambers forming the mercury reservoir and mercury receiver and the openings |46a in the body of the tube. The packing |43a spaces tube 2 from the Walls of'groove |4|a. Only one of the openings l44, one of the portsv |45a and one of the openings |46a are shown. The tube is positioned v in groove |4|a and seats against the packing |43a.

The chart indicated at 4`|a is secured to the outer face of support |40a by the holdfast means |48a and extends across the tube-I. The chart |4'|a is transparent.

The orice 94 will prevent surges of any type from occurring in the mercury by merely limiting the ilow either way through the line wherein it is located. If same were removed and operation attempted, an unfavorable result would occur, as upon a sudden rush of water through meter exceeding thev maximum limit would cause the mercury to hit chamber |3 at high velocity breaking same up into small globules. 'Ihese would be jetted out of chamber by the high velocity water that followed and be deposited in groove 28 or carried out the hose, rendering meter inoperative vuntil relled.

'I'he body 4 is formed of Monel metal which will not amalgamatewith the mercury.

` What I claim is:

1. In a i'luid Water, an upstanding structure provided therein at its upper and lower portions respectively with a mercury receiving chamber and a mercury reservoir, an upstanding manometer tube mounted in said structure adjacent said chambers, sealed at its ends and of less diameter than the diameter of said chambers, said tube and said structure having coacting means for permanently establishing spaced points of said tube and said chamber and reservoir, said structure being formed respectively With a hydraulic pressure conducting channelleading from a source of hydraulic pressure to said chamber and a hydraulic pressure conducting channel leading from said source to said reservoir, said channels communicating with each other, that channel leading to the mercury reservoir communication between having upper and lower portions and with ,the lower portion of greater diameter than the upper por-tion, an automatic mercury return valve structure having a part thereof secured in said upper portion and its remaining part arranged in said lower part and mercury reservoir, a hydraulic pressure operated indicator formed from a part of a body of mercury normally housed in said reservoir and forced up said tube until its height equals the diierential of pressure, the mercury in the reservoir as the indicator rises falling only a minute amount due to the diierence in area of the two surfaces of mercury and on the presence lof a too great diierential the mercury passes into said chamber, a carrier anchored to said structure and provided with means for exposing said indicator, said carrier being formed with indicia calibrated in nozzle pressure, said calibrations arranged relative to and selectable by said indicator for reading, said structure being formed with another hydraulic pressure conducting channel leading from said source to said reservoir, and a restriction element mounted in said last mentioned channel at the point of communicationuof the latter with said reservoir.

2. In a iiuid meter, an upstanding structure provided therein at its upper and lower portions respectively with a mercury Vreceiving chamber and a mercury reservoir, an upstanding manometer tube mounted in said structure adjacent said chamber, sealed at its ends and of less diameter than the diameter of said chambers, said tube spaced points of said tube and said chamber and reservoir, said structure being formed with an upper hydraulic pressure conducting channel leading from a source of hydraulic pressure and opening into the top of said chamber, said structure being formed with a lower hydraulic pressure conducting channel leading from said source and opening into the top of said reservoir, said channels communicating with each other, said lower channel having upper and lower parts, said lower part being of greaterl diameter than said upper part and opening into said reservoir, an automatically operable mercury return valve structure having a portion secured in said upper part and its remaining portion extending through said lower part into said reservoir, a hydraulic pressure operated indicator formed from a partof a body of mercury normally housed in said reservoir and. forced up said tube until its height equals the differential of pressure, the mercuryA inthe reservoir as the indicator Arises falling only a minute amount due to the diifer'encesin area of the two surfaces of mercury and on the presence of a too great differential the mercury passes into said chamber, a carrier anchored to said structure for exposing. said indicator, said carrier being formed with indicia calibrated in nozzle pressure, said calibrations arranged relative to and selectable by said indicator for reading, said structure being formed with another hydraulic pressure conducting channel leading from said source to said reservoir, and a restriction element mountedv 

